“Serious talks” must start on Saturday, otherwise, Syria would have given an ultimatum to withdraw from the peace efforts led by the United Nations (UN).

The UN mediator, Ladjar Brahimi, would have met this Friday about 90 minutes with the delegation chosen by President Bashar Assad as part of the peace meeting with the Western-backed opposition.

“If they do not start serious talks on Saturday, the official Syrian delegation will have to leave because the other party does not speak seriously or is not ready,” said Walid al-Moallem, Syrian Foreign Minister, to Brahimi.

The Syrian government and the National Coalition had planned to meet for direct talks but were suspended. Brahimi will meet separately with the opposition over the course of day at the UN European headquarters.

While Assad adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban questions whether the opposition coalition is really ready to negotiate an end to the violence in Syria.